Slide-out lifting and lowering mechanism

ABSTRACT

A recreational vehicle having a slide-out housing, wherein the slide-out housing may be positioned in either a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the slide-out housing extends outwardly from a main housing of the recreational vehicle so as to enlarge the living space within the main housing. In the retracted configuration, the slide-out housing extends inwardly into the main housing so as to reduce the living space within the main housing. In various embodiments, the slide-out housing is lifted prior to retraction and lowered after deployment so that the floor of the slide-out housing aligns with the floor of the main housing. In other various embodiments, vertical movement of the slide-out housing may occur during retraction and deployment. Moreover, the recreational vehicle may utilize a vertical actuating assembly, as disclosed herein, that is adapted to engage with the slide-out housing to thereby lift and lower the slide-out housing.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application No.60/446,186, filed Feb. 5, 2003, entitled “SLIDE-OUT LIFTING/LOWERINGSYSTEM FOR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES”, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to Applicant's co-pendingapplications entitled “SLIDE-OUT LIFTING/LOWERING SYSTEM FORRECREATIONAL VEHICLES” Ser. No. 10/773,557 and “MOVEABLE FLOOR SECTIONFOR LIFTING AND LOWERING SLIDE-OUTS” Ser. No. 10/773,556, which werefiled concurrently herewith and are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to recreational vehicles and, inparticular, relates to a lifting and lowering system for slide-outassemblies in recreational vehicle housings.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recreational vehicles are becoming increasingly popular with people whowish to retain the comforts and conveniences of home while spendingextended periods of time away from home at remote locations. In moreelaborate configurations, the recreational vehicle typically includesamenities such as a bedroom, a bathroom with a sink and a flushingtoilet, a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and sink, and a generouslysized living area with reclining chairs and an entertainment center.Furthermore, a recreational vehicle may be easily parked at a widevariety of locations so that users may enjoy the amenities of thevehicle at their favorite destination. Consequently, people who userecreational vehicles may usually be assured of a comfortable livingenvironment at their preferred remote destination without having to relyon the availability of suitable hotels.

In response to consumer demand, manufacturers have developedincreasingly larger recreational vehicles. In particular, manufacturershave developed recreational vehicles with one or more extendablestructures, commonly referred to as slide-outs, that provide the userwith a supplemental living space when the vehicle is parked in asuitable location. The extendable structure is adapted to extend into adeployed configuration during the time that the vehicle is parked sothat the interior living space within the recreational vehicle isincreased by an amount which is, substantially equal to the supplementalliving space of the extendable structure. The extendable structure isalso adapted to retract into a retracted configuration during the timethat the vehicle is in motion or towed so that the traveling dimensionsof the recreational vehicle are within the maximum allowed length andwidth.

The typical extendable structure or slide-out is positioned within anopening of the housing of the recreational vehicle and is comprised of aplurality of walls that form the supplemental living space therein andan opening that provides access to the supplemental living space. Inparticular, the walls of the slide-out may comprise an upper horizontalwall that forms either a single level planar ceiling, which maysubstantially align with an adjacent ceiling of the vehicle, or a stepconfiguration, wherein the ceiling of the slide-out is dimensionallylower than the ceiling of the adjacent ceiling of the vehicle. Inaddition, the extendable structure or slide-out may also comprise anouter vertical wall that is adapted to align with an outer wall of themotorhome or travel trailer, when the slide-out is placed in theretracted configuration. In addition, a pair of horizontal sidewalls maybe utilized to join the upper and lower horizontal walls and the outervertical wall together.

Moreover, the walls of the typical slide-out are comprised of a lowerhorizontal wall that forms a single level planar floor, whichsubstantially aligns with an adjacent floor of the vehicle housing.Typically, the slide-out is typically lowered after deployment of theslide-out from the vehicle housing so that the lower horizontal floorforms a single level planar floor with the vehicle housing floor. Also,the slide-out typically lifted prior to retraction of the slide-outwithin the vehicle housing.

Conventional lifting and lowering systems for slide-outs use an inclinedsurface at the lower edge of the opening in the vehicle housing andwheel, roller, or friction pads fixed to the inclined surface mounted tothe lower inside edge of the slide-out. During retraction, the wheelrolls up the incline prior to retraction of the slide-out into thevehicle housing or the floor of the room slides over the fixed fractionpads in an inward manner. During deployment, the slide-out is extendedout of the vehicle housing and then the wheel engages the inclinedsurface to lower the slide-out into position or the floor of the roomslides over the fixed fraction pads in an outward manner.

Unfortunately, the inclined lower edge of these sidewall openings can bedifficult to manufacture due to the structural bends that need to beformed so as to accommodate the sloped surface. Also, the structuralintegrity of the incline lower edge is compromised by welded componentsthat are inadequately supported and structurally unsound. As a result,due to deployment/retraction stresses on these deficient structures, theinclined lower edge of the sidewall openings can weaken over time. Fromthe foregoing, there currently exists a need to improve the manner inwhich the slide-out is lifted and lowered during retraction anddeployment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs may be satisfied by a recreational vehiclecomprising, in one embodiment, a main housing defining an interiorliving space having a floor located at a first level wherein the mainhousing defines a first wall having an opening formed therein. Inaddition, the recreational vehicle further comprises a slide-out housinghaving a floor an outer wall positioned within the opening in the firstwall of the main housing, wherein the slide-out housing is adapted to bemovable between a retracted position wherein the floor of the slide-outhousing is positioned at a second level above the first level of thefloor of the main housing and the outer wall is positioned substantiallyadjacent the first wall of the main housing and a deployed positionwherein the outer wall is extended away from the first wall of the mainhousing and the floor of the slide-out housing is positioned at a thirdlevel below the second level so as to be more planar with the firstlevel. Moreover, the recreational vehicle still further comprises apiston actuated movement mechanism mounted to the recreational vehicleso as to be able to move the side out housing from the second level tothe third level when the side-out housing is in the deployed positionand move the floor of the slide-out housing from the third level to thesecond level when the slide-out housing is in the retracted position.

The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a recreational vehiclecomprising, in one embodiment, a main housing defining an interiorliving space having a floor located at a first level wherein the mainhousing defines a first wall having an opening formed therein. Inaddition, the recreational vehicle further comprises an expandable roomhaving a floor an outer wall positioned within the opening in the firstwall of the main housing, wherein the expandable room is adapted to bemovable between a retracted position wherein the floor of the expandableroom is positioned at a second level above the first level of the floorof the main housing and the outer wall is positioned substantiallyadjacent the first wall of the main housing and a deployed positionwherein the outer wall is extended away from the first wall of the mainhousing and the floor of the expandable room is positioned at a thirdlevel below the second level so as to be more planar with the firstlevel. Moreover, the recreational vehicle still further comprises apiston actuated movement mechanism mounted to the recreational vehicle,the piston actuated movement mechanism comprising at least one pistonmounted to the main housing so as to extend an arm outward away from themain housing, a pivot point secured to the main housing, and a movementmember coupled to the pivot point and the at least one piston mounted tothe main housing such that outward movement of the piston arm results invertical movement of the movement member so as to exert an upward forceon the expandable room to thereby move the floor of the slide-out fromthe third level to the second level and wherein inward movement of thepiston arm results in a vertical movement of the movement member so aspermit the floor of the expandable room to move from the second level tothe third level.

The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a recreational vehiclecomprising, in one embodiment, a main housing defining an interiorliving space having a floor located at a first level wherein the mainhousing defines a first wall having an opening formed therein. Inaddition, the recreational vehicle further comprises a slide-out housinghaving a floor an outer wall positioned within the opening in the firstwall of the main housing, wherein the slide-out housing is adapted to bemovable between a retracted position wherein the floor of the slide-outhousing is positioned at a second level above the first level of thefloor of the main housing and the outer wall is positioned substantiallyadjacent the first wall of the main housing and a deployed positionwherein the outer wall is extended away from the first wall of the mainhousing and the floor of the slide-out housing is positioned at a thirdlevel below the second level so as to be more planar with the firstlevel. Moreover, the recreational vehicle still further comprises apiston actuated movement mechanism mounted to the recreational, thepiston actuating movement mechanism comprising at least one pistonhaving an arm wherein the at least one piston is mounted in the mainhousing such that the arm can be extended in a direction that has avertical component so as to be able to move the floor of the slide-outhousing from the third level to the second level and so that retractionof the arm of the at least one piston permits the floor of the slide-outhousing to be able to drop from the second level to the third levelduring deployment of the slide-out housing.

The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a recreational vehiclecomprising, in one embodiment, a main housing defining an interiorliving space having a floor located at a first level wherein the mainhousing defines a first wall having an opening formed therein. Inaddition, the recreational vehicle further comprises an expandable roomhaving a floor an outer wall positioned within the opening in the firstwall of the main housing, wherein the expandable room is adapted to bemovable between a retracted position wherein the floor of the expandableroom is positioned at a second level above the first level of the floorof the main housing and the outer wall is positioned substantiallyadjacent the first wall of the main housing and a deployed positionwherein the outer wall is extended away from the first wall of the mainhousing and the floor of the expandable room is positioned at a thirdlevel below the second level so as to be more planar with the firstlevel. Moreover, the recreational vehicle still further comprises apiston actuated movement mechanism mounted to the recreational vehicleso as to be able to move the side out housing from the second level tothe third level when the side-out housing is in the deployed positionand move the floor of the expandable room from the third level to thesecond level when the expandable room is in the retracted position, andwherein the piston actuating movement mechanism comprises at least onepiston with an extendable arm wherein the at least one piston is mountedto a portion of the expandable room such that the arm of the at leastone piston engages a portion of the main housing so as to raise andlower the floor of the housing during movement of the expandable room.

The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a method of moving aslide-out assembly of a recreational vehicle. In one embodiment, themethod comprises positioning a slide-out room within the main housing ofa recreational vehicle such that the floor of the slide-out room ispositioned at a first level above the floor of the main housing and suchthat an outer wall of the slide-out room is positioned proximate to theouter wall of the main housing. In addition, the method furthercomprises deploying the slide-out room into a deployed position whereinthe outer wall of the slide-out room is positioned distally from theouter wall of the main housing to thereby increase the floor space ofthe recreational vehicle and lowering the floor of the slide-out roomfrom the first level to a second level which is more proximate the levelof the floor of the main housing. Moreover, the method still furthercomprises retracting the slide-out room such that the outer wall of theslide-out room is proximate the outer wall of the main housing andmoving a piston member such that the arm of the piston member moves thefloor of the slide-out from the second level to the first level when theslide-out room is retracted.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a recreational vehicle having agenerally rectangular main housing and a slide-out housing adapted to bepositioned within an opening in the main housing in a retractedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the recreational vehicle of FIG. 1,wherein the slide-out housing is adapted to be extended from the openingin the first planar sidewall in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the recreational vehiclein FIG. 2, wherein the slide-out housing is in the deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 3B illustrates the recreational vehicle in FIG. 3A, wherein theslide-out housing is in a partially lifted or partially loweredorientation.

FIG. 3C illustrates the recreational vehicle in FIG. 3A, wherein theslide-out housing is in a lifted orientation.

FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the recreational vehiclein FIGS. 1, 2, wherein the slide-out housing is in a partially retractedor partially deployed configuration.

FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the recreational vehiclein FIG. 1, wherein the slide-out housing in the retracted configuration.

FIG. 4A illustrates the cam assembly and the telescoping member in thedeployed configuration as described in FIGS. 2, 3A.

FIG. 4B illustrates the cam assembly and the telescoping member in theretracted configuration as described in FIGS. 1, 3E.

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of an actuating mechanismincorporated into the slide-out housing that lifts or lowers theslide-out housing with respect to the main housing floor.

FIG. 5B illustrates another embodiment of the actuating mechanism thatlifts or lowers the slide-out housing with respect to the main housingfloor.

FIG. 5C illustrates still another embodiment of the actuating mechanismthat lifts or lowers the slide-out housing with respect to the mainhousing floor.

FIGS. 6A, 6B illustrate a process for lifting and lowering the slide-outhousing during retraction and deployment using a linkage assembly.

FIGS. 7A–7D illustrate another embodiment of a process for lifting andlowering the slide-out housing using a vertical actuating mechanism.

FIGS. 8A–8D illustrate still another embodiment of a process for liftingthe slide-out housing using the vertical actuating mechanism.

FIGS. 9A–9E illustrate yet another embodiment of a process for liftingand lowering the slide-out housing using a hinged flooring mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. A distinctive lifting and lowering system forrecreational vehicle slide-out housings or expandable rooms will bedescribed in greater detail herein below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 illustrate one embodiment of a recreational vehicle (RV) 100having a generally rectangular carriage assembly 102 attached to aplurality of wheels 104 so as to permit rolling movement of the RV 100over the ground. In one embodiment, the carriage assembly 102 comprisesa coach or main housing 106 that is essentially formed of a plurality ofplanar walls 116 a, 116 b, 116 c, 116 d that are joined together andmounted to a vehicle frame 108 in a generally known manner so as todefine an interior living space 110 having a main housing floor 112 androof 114. A horizontal axis, which is substantially parallel to thefloor 112, extends from a front planar wall 116 a of the RV 100 to arear planar wall 116 b of the RV 100. Also, the RV 100 further comprisesa first fixed sidewall 116 c and a second fixed sidewall 116 d that ispositioned opposite the first fixed sidewall 116 c.

In one embodiment, the first fixed sidewall 116 c comprises an opening118 formed therein and a slide-out housing 120 positioned within theopening 118, which provides additional interior living space 132 (shownin FIG. 3A) within the RV 100. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates theslide-out housing 120 in a retracted configuration, and FIG. 2illustrates the slide-out housing 120 in a deployed configuration. FIG.2 further illustrates the slide-out housing 120 comprising a pluralityof exterior sidewalls including an outer sidewall 126 a, and front andrear sidewalls 126 b, 126 c with an additional floor 128 and roof 130.The exterior sidewalls 126 a, 126 b, 126 c are joined together to formthe slide-out housing 120 that defines an additional interior livingspace 132. The scope and functionality of the slide-out housing 120 willbe described in greater detail herein below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the RV 100 may comprise, for example, amotorhome. It should be appreciated that the RV 100 described hereinrepresents any movable coach on wheels, such as, but not limited to, theillustrated motorhome, a fifth wheel trailer, a conventional trailer, atent trailer, or even a cab-over camper for use with a pick-up truck.The RV 100, such as the motorhome illustrated in FIG. 1, permitsoccupants to travel and live inside the RV 100 in a comfortable manner.One aspect of comfort pertains to having sufficient living space withinthe RV 100 such that the interior living space 110 may be partitionedwith interior planar walls and passageways in a generally known mannerso as to define interior rooms and various living spaces, such as akitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc. and generally enhance the convenienceand functionality of the RV 100.

Moreover, the carriage assembly 102 further comprises an engine,transmission, drive axle, fuel system, and electrical system of typesknown in the art to provide the motive power for the RV 100. Thecarriage assembly 102 also facilitates mounting of relatively massiveitems, such as generators, air conditioners, furnaces, storage andholding tanks, and the like to the vehicle frame 102, which is low tothe ground, so as to provide a lower center of mass for the RV 100. Inaddition, the vehicle frame 108 may further comprise sub-floorcomponents 124, such as cross-supports and other various supportingmembers to provide strength and structural reinforcement to the mainhousing floor 112, the planar sidewalls 116 a, 116 b, 116 c, 116 d, etc.These and other items related to the construction of the RV 100 are morefully disclosed in the Applicant's co-pending patent applicationentitled “Method of Fabricating a Motorhome” application Ser. No.09/965,463, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirely.

FIGS. 3A–3E illustrate a cross sectional view of the RV 100 includingthe main housing 106 and the slide-out housing 120. As previouslydescribed, the slide-out housing 120 comprises exterior sidewallsincluding an outer sidewall 126 a, and front and rear sidewalls 126 b,126 c with the additional floor 128 and roof 130. In addition, theexterior sidewalls 126 a, 126 b, 126 c are joined together to form theslide-out housing 120 that defines the additional interior living space132. In one embodiment, the additional roof 130 comprises first andsecond ends 140 a, 140 b including a first lip section 150 attached tothe first end 140 a in a substantially perpendicular manner. The firstlip section 150 abuts the first planar sidewall 116 c of the mainhousing so that, when the slide-out housing 120 is deployed, the firstlip section 150 limits the outward travel of the slide-out housing 120from the opening 118.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A–3E, the additional floor 128 of the slide-outhousing 120 is substantially parallel to the main housing floor of theRV 100. The additional floor 128 comprises first and second ends 138 a,138 b including a second lip section 152 attached to the first end 139Athat couples with a complementary lip section 154 of the main housingfloor 112. When the slide-out housing 120 is deployed, the second lipsection 152 couples to the complementary lip section 154 so that theadditional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 is substantiallyaligned in substantially the same plane with the main housing floor 112.When aligned, the coupling of the floors 112, 128 forms a substantiallyuniform planar flooring surface 156 between the main housing 106 and theslide-out housing 120.

In addition, the outer sidewall 126 a comprises an upper section 142 athat attaches to the second end 140 b of the additional roof 130 and alower section 142 b that attaches to the second end 138 a of theadditional floor 128 in a substantially perpendicular manner. It shouldbe appreciated that the second end 140 b of the additional roof 130 maybe attached to the upper section 142 a of the outer sidewall 126 a at anangular offset such that the first end 140 a of the additional roof 130may be at a height that is at least larger than the height of the secondend 140 b of the additional roof 130 with respect to the additionalfloor 128 of the slide-out housing 120. The outer sidewall 126 a furthercomprises flanged edges 160 positioned adjacent to the outer perimeterof the outer sidewall 126 a that abuts the first planar sidewall 116 cof the main housing 106 when the slide-out housing 120 is retracted. Inone embodiment, the flanged edges 160 of the outer sidewall 126 afunction as sealing components to prevent the external environment fromaffecting the climate within the interior living spaces 110, 132.

The main housing 106 further comprises a cam assembly 170 having one ormore cam members 172 attached to the vehicle frame 108 or a sub-floorcomponent 124 of the main housing floor 112 via one or more mountingbrackets 174 and one or more first fastening pins 176, respectively. Inone embodiment, the cam member 172 comprises an oval contoured structurehaving an elongate dimension with partially tipped surfaces 178 a and anarrow dimension with partially flattened surfaces 178 b including acurved surface 178 c defined there between. The difference between thelength of the elongate dimension and the length of the narrow dimensionis, in this embodiment, at least the thickness of the main housing floor112 so that, during rotation of the cam member 172, the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120 can be lifted above the main housingfloor 112. In addition, the cam assembly 170 also comprises an actuatingmechanism (shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B) that induces rotation of the cammember 172 about a horizontal axis defined by the first fastening pin176 when the slide-out housing 120 is lifted and lowered duringretraction and deployment. As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the actuating mechanism may comprise various types of electrical,mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic devices without departing from thescope of the present invention. Also, the cam member 172 may comprise arigid metal composition that can withstand heavy weight stresses withoutdeforming. It should be appreciated that the cam member 172 may comprisevarious other material compositions without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 174 may comprise a half-ovalcontoured structure with a rounded upper section 210 and a flat lowersection 212. The mounting bracket 174 may further comprise an openingformed adjacent the rounded upper section 210 so as to define anaperture 214 that can receive at least a portion of the first fasteningpin 176 and couple therewith. The mounting bracket 174 couples with thefirst fastening pin 176 in a manner so as to permit rotation of thefirst fastening pin 176 within the aperture 214. A lubrication product,such as a petroleum based grease, may be used to reduce friction betweenthe first fastening pin 176 and the aperture 214. The mounting bracket174 may be attached to the vehicle frame 108 and/or the sub-floorcomponent 124 using generally known welding technology, mounting bolts,or various other known mounting technologies. In addition, the mountingbracket 174 including the first fastening pin 176 may comprise a rigidmetal composition that can withstand heavy weight stresses withoutdeforming.

The main housing 106 still further comprises a telescoping member 180having a device housing 182 that is attached to the vehicle frame 108and an armature 184 that distally extends from the device housing 182 ata first end 188 a of the armature 184 so as to deploy the slide-outhousing 120 from the main housing 106 via the opening 118 in the firstplanar sidewall 116 c. The armature 184 also extends towards the firstend 189A 188 a within the device housing 182 so as to retract theslide-out housing 120 into the main housing 106 via the opening 118 inthe first planar sidewall 116 c. It should be appreciated that thedevice housing 182 may also be attached to the main housing floor 112 orto the sub-floor component 124 of the main housing floor 112 in agenerally known manner without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Additionally, the armature 184 further comprises a second end 188 b thatis attached to the second end 138 b of the additional flooring 128 via asecond fastening pin 190 and a slotted member 192. The slotted member192 comprises an opening that defines an enclosed slotted section 194.In one embodiment, the second end 188 b of the armature 184 couples tothe slotted section 194 of the slotted member 192 via the secondfastening pin 190 so that the slide-out housing 120 including theadditional floor 128 can freely move in a vertical direction 198 withoutaltering the positional orientation of the telescoping member 180including the armature 184 and the device housing 182. In addition, aswill be described in greater detail herein below, the slide-out housing120 can be lifted and lowered during retraction and deployment by thecam assembly 170, wherein the armature 184 maintains, in one embodiment,a substantially parallel position with respect to the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120.

During deployment, the telescoping member 180 applies a pushing force tothe armature 184 in a generally known manner so as to deploy or push theslide-out housing 120 from the main housing 106 by extending thearmature 184 in a pushing direction 200 away from the opening 118 in thefirst planar sidewall 116 c. The applied pushing force of thetelescoping member 180 is transferred from the armature 184 to thesecond fastening pin 190 and then to the slotted member 192. Since theslotted member 192 is attached to the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120, the applied pushing force thereby pushes theslide-out housing 120 out of the opening 118 in the first planarsidewall 116 c via the coupling of the second fastening pin 190 and theslotted member 192.

Similarly, during retraction, the telescoping member 180 applies apulling force to the armature 184 in a generally known manner so as toretract or pull the slide-out housing 120 towards the main housing 106by extending the armature 184 in a pulling direction 202 towards theopening 118 in the first planar sidewall 116 c. The applied pullingforce of the telescoping member 180 is transferred from the armature 184to the second fastening pin 190 and then to the slotted member 192.Since the slotted member 192 is attached to the additional floor 128 ofthe slide-out housing 120, the applied pulling force thereby pulls theslide-out housing 120 towards the opening 118 in the first planarsidewall 116 c via the coupling of the second fastening pin 190 and theslotted member 192.

FIGS. 3A–3E further illustrate a process for lifting the slide-outhousing 120 during retraction using the cam assembly 170. However, itshould be appreciated that the illustrated process may also be orderedin reverse from FIG. 3E to FIG. 3A for lowering the slide-out housing120 during deployment using the cam assembly 170.

FIG. 3A illustrates the slide-out housing 120 in the deployedconfiguration as also illustrated in FIG. 2. The slide-out housing 120is positioned in a lowered orientation such that the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120 is substantially aligned with the mainhousing floor 112 of the RV 100 and the cam member 172 of the camassembly 170 is positioned substantially parallel to the floors 112, 128of the RV 100 and the slide-out housing 120. As illustrated in FIG. 3A,the additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 physicallycontacts and rests on the partially flattened surface 179B of the cammember 172. Also, the first lip section 150 of the additional roof 130abuts the first planar sidewall 116 c of the main housing 106 so as toform a first contact seal 204 therebetween.

Additionally, when the slide-out housing 120 is in the loweredorientation, the second lip section 152 of the additional floor 128 iscoupled to the complementary lip section 154 of the main housing floor112. In one embodiment, the second lip section 152 outwardly extends ina substantially parallel manner from the additional floor 128. Thesecond lip section 152 may comprise a thickness that is at least lessthan the thickness of the additional floor 128. Also, the complementarylip section 154 outwardly extends in a substantially parallel mannerfrom the main housing floor 112. The complementary lip section 154 maycomprise a thickness that is at least less than the thickness of themain housing floor 112. As further illustrated in FIG. 3A, when theslide-out housing 120 is in the lowered orientation, the second lipsection 152 is positioned adjacent to the complementary lip section 154such that, when coupled, the floors 112, 128 form a substantiallyuniform planar flooring surface 156 between the main housing 106 and theslide-out housing 120.

FIG. 3B illustrates the slide-out housing 120 being partially lifted bythe cam member 172 of the cam assembly 170, wherein the cam member 172is partially turned in a first direction 220. In one embodiment, as thecam member 172 rotates in the first direction 220, the cam member 172maintains physical contact with the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120 via the curved surface 179C of the cam member 172,which causes the slide-out housing 120 to be upwardly shifted or liftedso that the additional floor 128 begins to rise at a positional offsetabove the main housing floor 112. During rotation of the cam member 172in the first direction 220, the curved surface 179C of the cam member172 maintains physical contact with the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120.

FIG. 3C illustrates the position of the slide-out housing 120 in alifted orientation such that the cam member 172 is turned approximately90° or a quarter-turn in the first direction 220 until the cam member172 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the floors 112, 128 ofthe RV 100 and the slide-out housing 120. Once the slide-out housing 120is positioned in the lifted orientation, the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120 physically contacts and rests on the partiallytipped surface 179A of the cam member 172. As illustrated, once theslide-out housing 120 is lifted by the cam member 172 of the camassembly 170, the additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 isdistally offset from the main housing floor 112 of the RV 100 by anamount at least as much as the thickness of the main housing floor 112.Advantageously, offsetting the floors 112, 128 allows the slide-outhousing 120 to readily retract within the opening 118 of the mainhousing 106.

FIG. 3D illustrates the slide-out housing 120 in a partially retractedposition. During retraction, the additional floor 128 of the slide-outhousing 120 slides along the partially tipped surface 179A of the cammember 172 while the telescoping member 180 retracts the slide-outhousing 120, in a manner as previously described, within the opening 118formed in the first planar sidewall 116 c of the main housing 106. Inone embodiment, the additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120also slides along and is supported by the main housing floor 112 duringretraction. As illustrated, the cam member 172 of the cam assembly 170maintains a substantially perpendicular positional orientation duringretraction of the slide-out housing within the main housing 106.

FIG. 3E illustrates the slide-out housing 120 in the retractedconfiguration as also illustrated in FIG. 1. When retracted, theslide-out housing 120 maintains the lifted orientation such that theadditional floor 128 of the slide-out housing is positioned above andsubstantially parallel to the main housing floor 112 of the RV 100. Inaddition, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, the cam assembly 170 also maintainsa position that is substantially parallel to the floors 112, 128 of theRV 100 and the slide-out housing 120. Once retracted, the flanged edges160 of the outer sidewall 126 a of the slide-out housing 120 abut thefirst planar sidewall 116 c of the main housing 106 so as to form asecond contact seal 206 therebetween.

Advantageously, the slide-out housing 120 can be lifted from the loweredorientation as illustrated in FIG. 3A to the lifted orientation asillustrated in FIG. 3C with approximately a quarter-turn of the cammember 172 in the first direction 220. Similarly, the slide-out housing120 can be lowered from the lifted orientation as illustrated in FIG. 3Cto the lowered orientation as illustrated in FIG. 3A with approximatelya quarter-turn of the cam member 172 in the second direction 222. Theease and manner in which the cam member 172 of the cam assembly 170 canbe rotated in the first or second direction 220, 222 will be describedin greater detail herein below with reference to FIGS. 5A–5C.

FIG. 4A illustrates the cam assembly 170 and the telescoping member 180in the deployed configuration as described in FIGS. 2, 3A. FIG. 4Billustrates the cam assembly 170 and the telescoping member 180 in theretracted configuration as described in FIGS. 1, 3E. In one embodiment,the cam assembly 180 may comprise one or more cam members 172, mountingbrackets 174, and first fastening pins 176 positioned adjacent to orbetween one or more telescoping members 180. In addition, the one ormore cam members 172 of the cam assembly 170 may comprise a first length230 that is at least less than the width of the slide-out housing 120and/or the width of the opening 118 formed in the first planar sidewall116 c of the main housing 106.

For purposes of discussion, FIGS. 4A, 4B illustrate the cam assembly 170positioned between first and second telescoping members 180 a, 180 b.Also, as illustrated, the cam assembly 170 having a plurality ofmounting brackets 174 attached to a plurality of cam members 172 via thefirst fastening pin 176 and the apertures 214 formed in the mountingbrackets 174. In particular, a first cam member 172 a is positionedbetween first and second mounting brackets 174 a, 174 b and a second cammember 172 b is positioned between second and third mounting brackets174 b, 174 c. In one aspect, the first fastening pin 176 is attached tothe cam members 172 a, 172 b and the mounting brackets 174 a, 174 b, 174c so as to pass therethrough and form the cam assembly 170.Alternatively, a plurality of first fastening pins 176 may be used tointerconnect the cam members 172 a, 172 b and the mounting brackets 174a, 174 b, 174 c so as to form the cam assembly 170 without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatthe one or more first fastening pins 176 may be attached to the cammembers 174 using welding technology or various other mountingtechnologies that are generally known in the art.

In one embodiment, the one or more cam members 172 rotate in unisonabout a horizontal axis that is defined by the first fastening pin 176in either the first direction 220 so as to lift the slide-out housing120 or in a second direction 220 that is opposite the first direction220 so as to lower the slide-out assembly 120. The manner in which theone or more cam members 172 can be rotated will be described in greaterdetail herein below with reference to FIG. 5. In a manner as previouslydescribed, the armatures 184 a, 184 b of the telescoping members 180 a,180 b are attached to the slotted sections 194 a, 194 b of the slottedmembers 192 a, 192 b via the second fastening pins 190 a, 190 b. Also,the armatures 184 a, 184 b extend within and out of the device housings182 a, 182 b of the telescoping members 180 a, 180 b during retractionand deployment of the slide-out housing 120, respectively. Moreover,during lifting and lowering of the slide-out housing 120, thetelescoping members 180 a, 180 b remain stationary while the slottedmember 192 freely moves in upward and downward vertical directions 198,respectively. Therefore, rotating the one or more cam members 172 in thefirst or second direction 220, 222 readily permits lifting or loweringthe slide-out housing 120 in the vertical directions 198. It should beappreciated that the cam assembly 170 may comprise one or moreadditional cam members positioned between or adjacent to the illustratedcam members 172 for increased structural support of the slide-outhousing 120 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of an actuating mechanism 300comprising one or more actuating devices, such as gearing components 302and an electric motor 304, that can be adapted to rotate the one or morecam members 172 of the cam assembly 170 in the first or second direction220, 222 so as to lift or lower the slide-out housing 120 with respectto the main housing floor 112. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, one or moregearing components 302 may be rigidly attached to the first fasteningpin 176 using various mounting technologies, such as welding technologyor nut/bolt technology. In one embodiment, the gearing components 302may comprise one or more mechanical actuating devices, such as a firstand second gearing component 302 a, 302 b, wherein a gear reductionratio may be applied to the gearing components 302 such that the firstgearing component 302 a is at least smaller than the second gearingcomponent 302 b. It should be appreciated that various mechanicalactuating devices, such as solenoid, pneumatic, and/or hydraulicactuating and/or rotating devices may be used without departing from thescope of the present invention.

Additionally, the actuating device or electric motor 304 can be attachedto the first gearing component 302 a and the second gearing component302 b can be attached to the first fastening pin 176 so that the gearingcomponents couple and engage each other. In one aspect, when theactuating device or electric motor 304 is active, the rotationalmovement of the electric motor 302 transfers to the first fastening pin176 via the first and second gearing components 302 a, 302 b such that amechanical advantage, in the form of increased torque, is gained by thesecond gearing component 302 b in a generally known manner. Moreover,the actuating device or electric motor 304 can remain active untilapproximately a quarter-turn rotation is developed by the cam member 172in either the first or second direction 220, 222 so as to lift or lowerthe slide-out housing 120.

FIG. 5B illustrates another embodiment of the actuating mechanism 300comprising a rotating solenoid 310 that can also be adapted to rotatethe one or more cam members 172 of the cam assembly 170 in the first orsecond direction 220, 222 so as to lift or lower the slide-out housing120 with respect to the main housing floor 112. In this particularembodiment, the rotating solenoid 310 can electrically activated torotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to therebyinduce the cam member 172 to rotate in the first or second direction220, 222 so as to lift or lower the slide-out housing 120. The rotatingsolenoid 310 can be rigidly attached to the first fastening pin 176using generally known mounting techniques so that, when the rotatingsolenoid 310 is electrically activated, the rotational movement of therotating solenoid 310 is transferred to the first fastening pin 176 viathe rigid attachment.

FIG. 5C illustrates still another embodiment of the actuating mechanism300 comprising either a push-pull solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulicmechanism 300 that can also be adapted to rotate the one or more cammembers 172 of the cam assembly 170 in the first or second direction220, 222 so as to lift or lower the slide-out housing 120 with respectto the main housing floor 112. In one embodiment, the solenoid,pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320 comprises an actuator or piston322 that is rotatably attached to a first auxiliary armature 324 via afirst bolt member 326. In addition, the auxiliary armature 324 isrotatably attached to the first fastening pin 176. Furthermore, thesolenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320 may further comprise amounting armature 328 that can be rotatably attached to the vehicleframe 108 or the sub-floor component 124 of the main housing 106 via asecond bolt member 330.

In one embodiment, the actuator or piston 322 functions as a plungingdevice that horizontally moves into and out of the solenoid, pneumatic,or hydraulic mechanism 320 so as to provide a plunging force to thefirst auxiliary armature in a generally known manner. When the piston322 plunges into and out of the solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulicmechanism 320, the plunging force is transferred to the first fasteningpin 176 via the first auxiliary armature 324 to thereby rotate the cammember 172 in the first direction 222 so as to lift the slide-outhousing 120. Similarly, when the piston 322 plunges out of the solenoid,pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320, the plunging force is transferredto the first fastening pin 176 via the first auxiliary armature 324 tothereby rotate the cam member 172 in the second direction 222 so as tolower the slide-out housing 120. In one aspect, when the solenoid,pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320 is vertically displaced byrotational movement of the first auxiliary armature 324, the coupling ofthe mounting armature 328 to the second bolt member 330 allows thesolenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320 to partially rotate withrespect to the vehicle frame 108.

It should be appreciated that the cam assembly 170 may comprise one ormore actuating mechanisms 300 positioned between or adjacent to theillustrated cam members 172 without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, additional actuating mechanisms300 may be utilized to increase the lifting strength of the cam assembly170.

FIGS. 6A, 6B illustrate another embodiment of a process for lifting andlowering the slide-out housing 120 during retraction and deploymentusing a linkage assembly 350. As illustrated, the linkage assembly 350may comprise one or more solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanisms320 each having at least one piston 322 that operates in a similarmanner as previously described above with reference to FIG. 5C. Eachsolenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanism 320 further comprises firstauxiliary armatures 324 and second auxiliary armatures 360. In oneembodiment, each piston 322 and first and second auxiliary armatures324, 360 are rotatably linked together from end to end so as to form acollapsible rod-like structure. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, eachpiston 322 is rotatably attached to first auxiliary armatures 322 fromend to end via first bolt members 326 so as to define first armaturejoints 356.

Also, each of the first auxiliary members 322 are rotatably attachedfrom end to end to second auxiliary members 324 via second bolt members362 so as to define second armature joints 358. Moreover, each of thesecond auxiliary members 360 are attached end to end to the firstfastening pin 176 so that, when the second auxiliary armatures 360rotate, the first fastening pin also rotates. As previously described,the first fastening pin 176 is rotatably attached to the mountingbrackets 174 a, 174 b.

The linkage assembly 350 further comprises a roller component 352positioned between and rotatably attached to the first and secondauxiliary armatures 324, 360 via the second bolt member 362. The rollercomponent 352 is positioned adjacent the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120. In one embodiment, the roller component 352freely rotates between the second bolt members 362. The length of theroller component 354 approximately defines a width 354 of the linkageassembly 350.

It should be appreciated that the linkage assembly 350 may compriseadditional solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanisms positionedbetween or adjacent to the illustrated solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulicmechanisms 320 without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. In one aspect, additional solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulicmechanisms may be utilized to increase the lifting strength of thelinkage assembly 350.

FIG. 6A illustrates the linkage assembly 350 in a compressed positionsuch that the slide-out housing 120 is in the lifted orientation asillustrated in FIG. 3C. As illustrated, when the pistons 322 plunge outof the solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulic mechanisms 320, the armatures324, 360 rotate at first and second armature joints 356, 358 so as toupwardly push the roller component 352 against the additional floor 128of the slide-out housing 120, which tends to lift the slide-out housing120 into the lifted orientation above the main housing floor 112.

FIG. 6B illustrates the linkage assembly 350 in a decompressed positionsuch that the slide-out housing 120 is in the lowered orientation asillustrated in FIG. 3A. In one aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, whenthe pistons 322 plunge into the solenoid, pneumatic, or hydraulicmechanisms 320, the armatures 324, 360 rotate at first and secondarmature joints 356, 358 so as to allow the slide-out housing 120 toslowly drop into the lowered orientation, which aligns the additionalfloor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 with the main housing floor 112.Additionally, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe linkage assembly 350 may be adapted to comprise a scotch yoke so asto prevent binding of the armatures 324, 360 during operation. As isgenerally known in the art, a scotch yoke comprises a curved slot thatis adapted to inhibit binding.

Advantageously, the various embodiments of the above-described camassembly 170 offer a unique structure for lifting and lowering slide-outhousings 120 for recreational vehicles 100 during deployment andretraction. For example, the illustrated slide-out housing 120 can belifted or lowered with approximately a quarter-turn of the cam member172. The ease and manner in which the cam member 172 of the cam assembly170 can be rotated for lifting and lowering the slide-out housing 120reduces the stress on the armature assembly 180 by reducing the verticalweight component of the slide-out housing 120 supported by the armatureassembly 180 during deployment and retraction. In one aspect, theillustrated cam assembly 170 accomplishes this by distributing thevertical weight component of the slide-out housing 120 along the lengthof the cam member 172. Reduced deployment/retraction stresses canimprove the structural integrity and reliability of the armatureassembly 170.

In addition, the ease and manner in which the cam member 172 of the camassembly 170 can be rotated for lifting and lowering slide-out housing120 has further reduced the need for inclined surfaces formed at thelower edge of the opening in the main housing and for wheels or rollersattached to the lower inside edge of the slide-out as previouslydescribed with reference to conventional lifting and lowering systems.This reduced need has reduced the requirement for structural bendsformed adjacent the opening so as to accommodate the sloped surface ofthe incline. Moreover, this reduced need allows the structural integrityof the lower edge of the opening to be properly supported for structuralsoundness as opposed to the previously described conventional liftingand lowering systems, which use welded components that are inadequatelysupported and tend to weaken over time.

FIGS. 7A–7C illustrate another embodiment of a process for lifting theslide-out housing 120 prior to retraction using a vertical actuatingmechanism 400. However, it should be appreciated that the illustratedprocess may also be ordered in reverse from FIG. 7C to FIG. 7A forlowering the slide-out housing 120 after deployment using the verticalactuating mechanism 400.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the vertical actuatingmechanism 400 may be used to lift and lower the slide-out housing 120during retraction and deployment. As illustrated, the vertical actuatingmechanism 400 comprises a telescoping armature 402, such as a piston,slidably attached within an armature housing 404 that is mounted to thevehicle frame 108. In one aspect, a first end 410 a of the telescopingarmature 402 extends within the armature housing 404 so as to lower theslide-out housing 120 after deployment such that the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120 is substantially aligned with the mainhousing floor 112. It should be appreciated that the armature housing404 may be mounted to the main housing floor 112 or the sub-floorcomponent 124 in a generally known manner without departing from thescope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that thevertical actuating mechanism 400 including its components may comprisevarious types of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic deviceswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, thevertical actuating mechanism 400 may comprise a rigid metal compositionthat can withstand heavy weight stresses without deforming. It should beappreciated that the vertical actuating mechanism 400 may comprisevarious other material compositions without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

In addition, the vertical actuating mechanism 400 further comprises aroller 412 rotatably mounted to a second end 410 b of the telescopingarmature 402 via a mounting pin 414. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, theroller 412 allows the additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120to horizontally-move into and out of the main housing during deploymentand retraction of the slide-out housing 120. As illustrated in FIG. 7C,the telescoping armature 402 also distally extends from the first end189A of the armature housing 404 so as to lift the slide-out housing 120above the main housing floor 112 prior to retraction of the slide-outhousing within the main housing 106. Advantageously, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, the roller 412 provides a low resistive surface for theadditional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 to glide upon duringretraction and deployment of the slide-out housing 120. It should beappreciated that various generally known low resistive surfaces, such asone or more wheels, ball bearings, or flat lubricated gliding surfaces,may be used instead of a roller 412 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

In one embodiment, during lifting of the slide-out housing 120, thevertical actuating mechanism 400 applies an upward pushing force to theroller 412 in a generally known manner so as to vertically lift or pushthe additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 above the mainhousing floor 112. Thus, lifting of the slide-out housing 120 isactuated by extending the telescoping armature 402 in an upward pushingdirection 430. The applied pushing force of the telescoping armature 402is transferred from the telescoping armature 402 to the roller 412 viathe mounting pin 414 and then to the additional floor 128. Since theroller 412 is in direct contact with the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120, the applied pushing force of the verticallyactuating assembly 400 thereby vertically lifts the slide-out housing120 above the main housing floor 112.

Similarly, during lowering of the slide-out housing 120, the telescopingarmature 402 releases the pushing force applied to the telescopingarmature 402 in a generally known manner so as to allow a downwardvertical movement of the slide-out housing 120. Hence, lowering of theslide-out housing 120 is actuated by extending the telescoping armature402 within the armature housing 404. In general, the upward pushingforce of the vertical actuating mechanism 400 can be incrementallyreduced so as to bias the force of gravity to thereby actuate theslide-out housing 120 into the lowered position as illustrated in FIG.7A. Advantageously, when the slide-out housing 120 is lowered, asillustrated in FIG. 7A, the second lip section 152 couples to thecomplementary lip section 154 so that the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120 is substantially aligned in substantially the sameplane as the main housing floor 112. Furthermore, when aligned, thecoupling of the floors 112, 128 forms a substantially uniform planarflooring surface 156 between the main housing 106 and the slide-outhousing 120.

FIG. 7D illustrates a perspective view of the vertical actuatingassembly 400. As illustrated the roller 412 extends along the length ofthe slide-out housing 120. In various embodiments, the roller 412 maycomprise a length of at least the length of the additional floor 128 ofthe slide-out housing 120, or the roller 412 may comprise a length of atleast less than the length of the additional floor 128 of the slide-outhousing 120 depending on the specific application of the roller 412 tothe RV 100. It should be appreciated that the vertical actuatingmechanism 400 may comprise one or more separate rollers 412 each havingtheir own telescoping armatures 402 and armature housings 404 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A–8D illustrate still another embodiment of a process for liftingthe slide-out housing 120 prior to retraction using the verticalactuating mechanism 400 of FIGS. 7A–7D mounted to the front and rearsidewalls 126 b, 126 c of the slide-out housing 120. However, it shouldbe appreciated that the illustrated process may also be ordered inreverse from FIG. 8D to FIG. 8A for lowering the slide-out housing 120after deployment using the vertical actuating mechanism 400 of FIGS.7A–7D mounted to the front and rear sidewalls 126 b, 126 c of theslide-out housing 120.

In one embodiment, instead of mounting the vertical actuating mechanism400 to the vehicle frame 108, main housing floor 112, or the sub-floorcomponent 124 as described with reference to FIG. 7A, the verticalactuating mechanism 400 may be mounted to the front and rear sidewalls126 a, 126 c of the slide-out assembly 120 as illustrated in FIG. 8A. Inthis particular embodiment, the armature housing 404 is attached tosidewalls 126 a, 126 c of the slide-out assembly 120 in a substantiallyperpendicular manner via one or more track mechanisms 450 formed on thesidewalls 126 a, 126 c. In general, the armature housing 404 readilymoves along the tracks 450 via generally known gearing components (notshown) during retraction and deployment of the slide-out housing 120.

During lowering of the slide-out housing 120, the first end 410 a of thetelescoping armature 402 slidably extends within the armature housing404 so as to lower the slide-out housing 120, as illustrated in FIG. 8A,after deployment such that the additional floor 128 of the slide-outhousing 120 is substantially aligned with the main housing floor 112.During lifting of the slide-out housing 120, the first end 410 a of thetelescoping armature 402 slidably extends outward from the armaturehousing 404 so as to lift the slide-out housing 120 prior to retractionsuch that the additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 isoffset from the main housing floor 112, as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A–8D, the roller 412 of thevertical actuating mechanism 400 is in contact with the armature 180 ofthe telescoping member 180 so as to readily allow horizontal movement ofthe slide-out housing 120 into and out of the main housing 106 duringdeployment and retraction. Advantageously, the roller 412 glides uponthe armature 180 of the telescoping member 180 with low resistanceduring retraction and deployment of the slide-out housing 120.

In one embodiment, during lifting of the slide-out housing 120, thevertical actuating mechanism 400 applies a downward pushing force to theroller 412 in a generally known manner so as to vertically lift or pushthe additional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 above the mainhousing floor 112 as illustrated in FIG. 8B. Thus, lifting of theslide-out housing 120 is actuated by extending the telescoping armature402 in the downward direction 460. The applied pushing force of thetelescoping armature 402 is transferred from the telescoping armature402 to the roller 412 via the mounting pin 414 and then to the armature184 of the telescoping member 180. Since the roller 412 is in directcontact with the armature 184, the applied downward pushing force of thevertically actuating assembly 400 thereby vertically lifts the slide-outhousing 120 above the main housing floor 112. Once the slide-out housing120 is lifted above the main housing floor 106, the slide-out housing120 can be retracted within he main housing 106 as illustrated in FIG.8C. Moreover, the slide-out housing 120 can then be retracted until theouter sidewall 126 of the slide-out housing abuts the first fixedsidewall 116 c of the main housing 106 as illustrated in FIG. 8D.

Similarly, during lowering of the slide-out housing 120, the telescopingarmature 402 releases the pushing force applied to the telescopingarmature 402 in a generally known manner so as to allow a downwardvertical movement of the slide-out housing 120. Hence, lowering of theslide-out housing 120 is actuated by extending the telescoping armature402 within the armature housing 404. In general, the downward pushingforce of the vertical actuating mechanism 400 can be incrementallyreduced so as to bias the force of gravity to thereby actuate theslide-out housing 120 into the lowered position as illustrated in FIG.8A. Advantageously, when the slide-out housing 120 is lowered, asillustrated in FIG. 8A, the second lip section 152 couples to thecomplementary lip section 154 so that the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120 is substantially aligned in substantially the sameplane as the main housing floor 112. Furthermore, when aligned, thecoupling of the floors 112, 128 forms a substantially uniform planarflooring surface 156 between the main housing 106 and the slide-outhousing 120.

FIGS. 9A–9C illustrate still another embodiment of a process for liftingthe slide-out housing 120 prior to retraction using a hinged flooringmechanism 500. However, it should be appreciated that the illustratedprocess may also be ordered in reverse from FIG. 9C to FIG. 9A forlowering the slide-out housing 120 after deployment using the hingedflooring mechanism 500.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the hinged flooringmechanism 500 comprises a movable floor section 502 mounted to the mainhousing floor 112 via a hinge assembly 504. The hinge assembly 504 maycomprise a generally known hinging device that is attached to a firstend 508 a of the movable floor section 502 and the main housing floor112 in a manner so as to allow the movable floor section 502 to rotatein first and second directions 510, 512. In one aspect, the movablefloor section 502 rotates in the first direction 510 to a first position528 a so that an upper surface 520 of the movable floor section 502substantially aligns with the main housing floor 112 so as to form asubstantially planar flooring surface 526 between the main housing floor112, the additional floor 128, and the movable floor section 502. Itshould be appreciated that the movable floor section 502 may comprise atleast a portion of the main housing floor 112 that is separate ordetached therefrom and adjacent to the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120.

As will be described in greater detail herein below with reference toFIGS. 9D, 9E, the hinged flooring mechanism 500 including the movableflooring section 502 may be actuated by an armature device similar tothe vertical actuating mechanism 400 as described with reference toFIGS. 7A–7D. It should also be appreciated that the hinged flooringmechanism 500 may utilize various types of electrical, mechanical,pneumatic, or hydraulic devices without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Also, the hinged flooring mechanism 500 may comprisea rigid metal composition that can withstand heavy weight stresseswithout deforming. It should be further appreciated that the hingedflooring mechanism 500 may comprise various other material compositionswithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

As further illustrated in FIG. 9A, the additional floor 128 of theslide-out housing 120 comprises a tapered section 516 that narrows froma first end 518 a to a second end 518 b of the additional floor 128.Thus, the movable floor section 502 can also rotate in the firstdirection 510 so that an upper ledge 522 of the movable floor section502 abuts first end 518 a of the additional floor 128 of the slide-outhousing 120. Also, when the movable floor member 502 rotates in thefirst direction 510, the first end 508 a movable floor member 502 abutsthe main housing floor 112, and a second end 508 b movable floor member502 lifts above the frame member 108 so as to form a first gap 514therebetween. As will be described in greater detail herein below, thetapered section 516 of the additional floor 128 allow the slide-outhousing 120 to be retracted and deployed from the main housing 106.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the movable floor section 502 is rotated inthe second direction 512 about the hinge assembly 504 to a secondposition 528 b so that the upper ledge 522 is lowered below the firstend 518 a of the additional floor 128. In addition, when the movablefloor section 502 is rotated in the second direction 512, the second end509B of the movable floor section 502 abuts the vehicle frame 108 so asto close the first gap 514 as described with reference to FIG. 9A. Also,the first end 508 a of the movable floor section 502 moves away from themain housing floor 112 so as to form a second gap 540 therebetween.

Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the inclined surface 538define by the movable floor section 502 provides a means for lifting theadditional floor 128 of the slide-out housing 120 above the main housingfloor 112. It should be appreciated that various generally known guidingmechanisms, such as one or more tracks, rollers, wheels, ball bearings,or gliding surfaces, may be used to assist with guiding the additionalfloor 128 along the inclined surface 538 of the movable floor section502 during retraction of the slide-out housing 120 without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 9C, the slide-out housing 120 can be retractedwithin the main housing 106 such that a second ledge 542 of theadditional floor 128 communicates with the first ledge 522. In oneembodiment, this forms an interlocking region 548 of the movable floorsection 502 and the additional floor 128 when the slide-out housing 120is retracted. As further illustrated in FIG. 9C, the additional floor128 also rests on the inclined surface 538 of the movable floor 502 andsupports at least a portion of the weight of the slide-out housing 120during travel. Therefore, the interlocking region 548 in conjunctionwith the resting contact between the additional floor 128 and themovable floor section 502 readily secures the slide-out housing 120 tothe main housing 106.

In one embodiment, during retraction of the slide-out housing 120, thetelescoping member 180 applies a pulling force to the slotted member 192so as to retract or pull the slide-out housing 120 within the mainhousing 106. This causes the additional floor 128 to slide along themovable floor section 502 so as to vertically lift the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120 above the main housing floor 112. Thus,lifting of the slide-out housing 120 is actuated by extending thearmature 184 within the device housing 182, which glides the taperedsection 516 of the additional floor 128 along the inclined surface 538of the rotated movable floor section 502. In one aspect, since theadditional floor 128 is in contact with the movable floor section 502,the applied pulling force of the telescoping member 180 vertically liftsthe slide-out housing 120 above the main housing floor 112.

Similarly, during deployment of the slide-out housing 120, thetelescoping member 180 applies a pushing force to the slotted member 192so as to deploy or push the slide-out housing 120 out of the mainhousing 106. This causes the additional floor 128 to slide along themovable floor section 502 so as to vertically lower the additional floor128 of the slide-out housing 120 in plane with the main housing floor112 as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Thus, lowering of the slide-out housing120 is actuated by extending the armature 184 outward from the devicehousing 182, which glides the tapered section 516 of the additionalfloor 128 along the inclined surface 538 of the rotated movable floorsection 502. In one aspect, since the additional floor 128 is in contactwith the movable floor section 502, the applied pushing force of thetelescoping member 180 vertically lowers the slide-out housing 120 to aposition substantially aligned with the main housing floor 112. Whenthis occurs, the movable floor section 502 rotates in the firstdirection 510 so that the first ledge 522 contacts or abuts the firstend 518 a of the additional floor 128 in a manner as previouslydescribed.

Advantageously, the movable floor section 502 rotates in the firstdirection 510 so that the upper surface 520 of the movable floor section502 substantially aligns with the main housing floor 112 so as to formthe substantially planar flooring surface 526 between the main housingfloor 112, the additional floor 128, and the movable floor section 502.This provides a substantially flat walking surface for users of the RV100 when the slide-out housing is deployed as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D illustrates the movable floor section 502 in the first or liftedposition 528 a so as to define the substantially planar flooring surface526 as described with reference to FIG. 9A. FIG. 9E illustrates themovable floor section 502 in the second or lowered position 528 b so asto define the inclined surface 538 as described with reference to FIG.9B. In one embodiment, an actuating mechanism 550 may be used to liftthe movable floor section 502 into the first position 528 a asillustrated in FIG. 9D, or lower the movable floor section 502 into thesecond position 528 b as illustrated in FIG. 9E. In addition, theactuating mechanism 550 comprises an exterior housing 552 mounted to thevehicle frame 106 of the main housing 106 and an armature 554, such as apiston, attached to the movable floor section 502 via a fastener 556. Inone aspect, the actuating mechanism 550 operates in a similar manner asthe vertical actuating mechanism 400 as described with reference toFIGS. 7A–7D. Also, the actuating mechanism 550 may comprise a rigidmetal composition that can withstand heavy weight stresses withoutdeforming. In addition, it should be appreciated that the actuatingmechanism 550 may comprise various other material compositions withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

It should further be appreciated that the actuating mechanism 550 mayutilize various types of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulicdevices without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, in one aspect, the actuating mechanism 550 may include one ormore solenoid components, wherein the solenoid controlled piston 554 isadapted to induce movement of the hinged floor section 502 between thefirst and second positions 528 a, 528 b. In another aspect, theactuating mechanism 550 may include one or more hydraulic components,wherein the hydraulic controlled piston 554 is adapted to inducemovement of the hinged floor section 502 between the first and secondpositions 528 a, 528 b. In still another aspect, the actuating mechanism550 may include one or more pneumatic components, wherein the pneumaticcontrolled piston 554 is adapted to induce movement of the hinged floorsection 502 between the first and second positions 528 a, 528 b.

Although the foregoing description has shown, described and pointed outthe fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understoodthat various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of thedetail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as the uses thereof, maybe made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spiritor scope of the present invention. Consequently, the scope of theinvention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but shouldbe defined by the appended claims.

1. A recreational vehicle comprising: a main housing defining aninterior living space having a floor located at a first level whereinthe main housing defines a first wall having an opening formed therein;an expandable room having a floor and an outer wall positioned withinthe opening in the first wall of the main housing, wherein theexpandable room is adapted to be movable between a retracted positionwherein the floor of the expandable room is positioned at a second levelabove the first level of the floor of the main housing and the outerwall is positioned substantially adjacent the first wall of the mainhousing and a deployed position wherein the outer wall is extended awayfrom the first wall of the main housing and the floor of the expandableroom is positioned at a third level below the second level so as to bemore planar with the first level; and a piston actuated movementmechanism mounted to the main housing, the piston actuated movementmechanism comprising at least one mounted piston and two pivot pointssecured to the main housing with a movement member extending between thetwo pivot points, wherein each of the at least one piston extends arespective arm outward away from the main housing, wherein therespective arm of each of the at least one piston includes a pivot pointand wherein the movement member includes a roller that is attached torespective arm of each of the at least one piston such that outwardmovement of each piston arm results in vertical movement of the rollerso as to exert a force having an upward component on the expandable roomto thereby move the floor of the expandable room from the third level tothe second level and wherein inward movement of each piston arm resultsin a vertical downward movement of the roller so as to permit the floorof the expandable room to move from the second level to the third level.2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the third level is co-planar with thefirst level.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a chassis anda set of wheels to permit rolling movement of the recreational vehicleover the ground.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the recreationalvehicle comprises a motorhome.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a deployment a and retraction mechanism that moves theexpandable room between the retracted and deployed positions.
 6. Amethod of moving a slide-out assembly of a recreational vehicle, themethod comprising: positioning a slide-out room within the main housingof a recreational vehicle such that the floor of the slide-out room ispositioned at a first level above the floor of the main housing and suchthat an outer wall of the slide-out room is positioned proximate to theouter wall of the main housing; deploying the slide-out room into adeployed position wherein the outer wall of the slide-out room ispositioned distally from the outer wall of the main housing to therebyincrease the floor space of the recreational vehicle; lowering the floorof the slide-out room from the first level to a second level which ismore proximate a level of the floor of the main housing; retracting theslide-out room such that the outer wall of the slide-out room isproximate the outer wall of the main housing; and moving a piston membersuch that an arm of the piston member moves the floor of the slide-outroom from the second level to the first level when the slide-out room isretracted wherein moving the piston member comprises extending orretracting the piston member outward or inward from the main housing soas to engage a linkage member of a roller assembly that respectivelyrises or lowers to engage the slide-out to thereby move the floor of theslide-out up to the first level during retraction of the slide-out roomand downward to the second level during deployment of the slide-outroom.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein lowering the floor of theslide-out room from the first level to the second level comprises movingthe floor of the slide-out room from a level above the floor of the mainlevel in the retracted position to a level that is substantiallyco-planar with the floor of the main section of the housing.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein moving the piston member comprises extendingthe piston member coupled between the slide-out room and the mainhousing so as to raise the floor of the slide-out from the second levelto the first level as the slide-out is being retracted.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein extending a piston member comprises extending an arm ofa piston mounted to the main housing so as to engage the slide-out roomwhile the slide-out room is being retracted to thereby move theslide-out room from the second level to the first level.
 10. The methodof claim 6, wherein extending a piston member comprises extending an armof a piston mounted to the slide-out room so as to engage a portion ofthe recreational vehicle to thereby lift the slide-out room from thesecond level to the first level as the slide-out room is beingretracted.